As promised, I’m sharing a few of my favorite foliage plants. Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate the beauty of a bloom, but the complex and diverse shapes and hues of leaves inspire me. Big or small, outside or in, leaves add drama and life to a space. Take a look below and be sure to check out my Instagram collection #ihavethisthingforfoliage for more leafy images and other botanical inspirations.

Furniture placement should be uniquely suited to each and every room. If the space allows it and the flow feels right, two sofas facing each other is one of my favorite ways to appoint a living room. Whether one is enjoying alone time or entertaining friends, this layout is designed to either encourage conversation or provide total relaxation. Although one often sees this type of placement with traditional pieces, some of the examples below take on a more eclectic look by featuring non-matching sofas, colorful futons, casual fabrics and unique accessorizing.

This week while visiting family in Arizona, Alex, our children and I toured Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and school, Taliesin West. As soon as we entered the grounds we recognized architectural features similar to our house, which was designed by one of FLW’s apprentices, Fred Langhorst. Langhorst spent 3 years at Taliesin and its influence is very apparent in so many of our home’s details. The organic materials, the permanent connection to nature through floor to ceiling windows, the compression and release effect created by low soffits, the Asian accents, even the gentle rise and fall of the stone steps at Taliesin, all seem to match our home in the East Bay. Even Wright’s favorite paint color, Cherokee Red, is the original color of the built-in cabinets in our project room!

We feel fortunate to live in house that is influenced by FLW’s architectural genius to this day, and love to share its history with our children (who want to tour Fallingwater next).

For a long time I resisted pinning inspirational quotes on Pinterest, but at some point I came across a quote that resonated with me and I decided to start a meditation pinboard. From time to time I read through it and somehow I manage to find sayings that reflect how I’m feeling at that particular moment. Today I’d like to share a few of my favorite ones. They all encourage authenticity, courage and self love.

Now that most of the living room components for the Eichler home I’m currently working on are in place, we’re moving onto the dining room. This is the room inspiration that is guiding the look and feel of the living spaces. Modern lines, warm metals and classic mid-century designed chairs will honor the home’s iconic style, while remaining fully family functional. The West Elm dining table has been ordered, the benches have arrived and now we’re waiting for the lighting and deciding on an area rug. Can’t wait to see it all come together and to share this home’s before and after images.

About this time last week I was in Boston working with my #beachonhillchd clients. I shopped and selected rugs, accessories, and even plants, for their newly renovated space. With the addition of the textiles and botanicals the rooms took on a ‘homier’ look and feel.

Surprisingly, the color orange became the accent color in the main living areas allowing for ottomans and pillows to be interchangeable between the different spaces. In the kitchen we emphasized the cabinetry color, Farrow & Ball’s Railings, with a dark rug and oversized vintage botanical prints. Brass hardware and a lighting fixture lent a classic look to this space. For the first time ever, I got to see the Modo Chandelier in its destined spot: smack dab in the middle of my clients’ huge living room window. I love it there and I’m happy to say my clients do too. All of the lighting we selected for this Beacon Hill residence is spectacular and there’s more to come!

I’ll be venturing back in the warmer months to tackle the dinning room area and to add some final details to the living room. Many thanks to AK and BD for allowing me the opportunity to work on your home. It’s been,and continues to be, a great experience!

My ‘up and coming’ trend radar must have been in overdrive when I reupholstered our womb chair in a light pink fabric and added brass accents to our renovated kitchen. Suddenly that color combination is hotter than hot for both home decor and fashion wear. Given the classic look of the current IT metal and the flattering flexibility associated with blush pinks, I suspect this combination will withstand the test of time if used in moderation.

For the past year I’ve been working with clients in Boston. At first, we gutted their Beacon Hill condominium to update the utilities, raise the ceiling, refinish the floor and restore some of the residence’s architectural details. Over the summer I had the opportunity to begin decorating the home and I’m flying East tomorrow to continue the process. We’ll be adding rugs, accessories, accent pieces and, of course, some indoor botanicals. Follow my search as I Instagram potential items for this project at #beaconhillchd. It will be fun to have you along!

Hi. I’m Debra, lover of layered neutrals, mixed patterns, contrasting textures and all things botanical. My creative energies pull me in many different directions but I’m most grounded as a decorator, blogger and photographer. It’s here at Cocoon Home Blog that I share my meditations on family, work and my creative journeys.